STEVE MACFARLANE -- Calgary Sun

The Vancouver Canucks have for years been trying to find a right winger who will fit in with the Sedin twins.

It looks like they've finally got their man.

Anson Carter, who has been playing alongside centre Henrik Sedin and left-winger Daniel Sedin, had his biggest game as a Canuck Friday night in a 5-3 win over Columbus.

Some would call the veteran's three-point night a breakout. Carter would argue he's just been contributing in different ways.

"I wouldn't call it that," said Carter yesterday afternoon before his Canucks took on the Calgary Flames at the Saddledome on Hockey Night in Canada. "Our line's been playing pretty well the whole year. Just because you get a couple of points on the scoreboard, it doesn't really mean anything. I've come to a point in my career now where you can do so many other things to help the team win that you might not see on the stat sheet. If you watch the game and your linemates are having success, that's the most important thing."

The Swedes are certainly enjoying early season success. Daniel and Henrik are both on pace to shatter their NHL bests in goals and points and, along with Carter, have formed Vancouver's most consistent line this year.

Canucks coach Marc Crawford said Carter has a little something to do with that.

"They have been aided very well by the addition of Anson Carter. It's the first real dedicated guy that we've given to them," said Crawford, adding Carter is more of a finisher than the closest thing they've had to a constant linemate in Trent Klatt. "They've played really well. With Daniel and Henrik, they're coming into their own. They know they want to play in the National Hockey League. They know they want to play well in the National Hockey League."

Daniel Sedin says he's been having a blast since returning from the lockout year during which he and Henrik toiled for their old Swedish Elite club, Modo.

"It's been fun this year," said Daniel. "The chemistry's been there since the pre-season. It's a good feeling when you have it. We knew (Carter) was a great player. He sees the ice very well and finds the open spots."

Carter joined the Canucks as a free agent this year and missed out on the battle between Calgary and Vancouver in the first round of the 2004 playoffs.

As a member of the Edmonton Oilers for nearly three seasons, though, he's no stranger to a rivalry with the Flames.

"It's pretty similar," said Carter. "It isn't a provincial rivalry but I think both teams have been so good -- obviously playing the Canucks last time we had hockey in the playoffs -- I think that sparked the rivalry a little bit more."